USA overpower Fijiana 34–15 in opening Perth 7s match

The Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s side suffered a 34–15 defeat to the United States in their opening Pool A match at the Perth 7s this afternoon, following a strong American second-half performance that proved decisive.

Fijiana made a promising start, with Reapi Uluinasau crossing early in the first half to give Fiji the lead.

However, the missed conversion allowed the USA to remain within reach, and momentum soon shifted as the Americans responded with two tries before the break.

Despite two yellow cards to the USA, Fiji struggled to maintain possession and capitalise on attacking opportunities, while handling errors and penalties allowed the opposition to gain territory.

The USA added further points before half-time to take a 17–5 lead into the interval.

The second half saw the USA extend their advantage after capitalising on a turnover close to Fiji’s goal line, with Samantha Sullivan scoring to widen the gap.

Fijiana continued to press and showed resilience, with Uluinasau scoring her second try of the match before Kolora Lomani added another following a scrum win, reducing the deficit to 22–15.

However, the USA regained control in the closing stages, scoring again through Autumn Czapliki, before Kaylen Thomas sealed the result with a late try in extra time.

The final conversion attempt struck the post, leaving the final score at 34–15.

While Fijiana showed moments of attacking promise, particularly through Uluinasau and Lomani, turnovers and defensive lapses proved costly against a disciplined USA side.

Fiji will now look to regroup ahead of their remaining pool matches as they aim to keep their Perth Sevens campaign alive.

The team will next meet New Zealand at 5.58pm, before facing Japan at 8.52pm.

The women's Cup semi-finals are scheduled for tomorrow at 4.13pm, with the Cup final later that evening at 8.28pm.

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Fijiana vs USA Perth 7s Match 1 Pool A

Fijiana kicks off

Number 15 USA receives the ball 

6.32 Yellow card to USA number 24

6.07' scrum 

5.26' Fiji lost possesion of ball

4.57' Scrum

4' First try from Reapi Uluinasau  

4.13' Conversion missed

3.46' USA number 15 scores a try 

clock stops. ref checks try

try awarded

3.17' Conversion  missed by USA 

2.59' Knock on by Fiji 

Fiji kicks  it off downfield 

1.47' USA 's ball, penalty for USA

1.17' scrum time

1.08' USA has the ball 

0.52' Another try by USA number 1

USA 10 - Fiji 5

0.05' USA's conversion failed

Halftime whistle blows

Fiji has possesson of ball

0.56' USA has possession now

1.19' Try by number 24 USA 

USA 15 - Fiji 5

Conversion successful 

Half time USA 17 - Fiji 5

2nd half - USA kicks

6.24' Fiji plays ball in front of their own goal post, loses ball

5.56' Ball given to USA, Samantha Sullivan scores for USA 

USA 22 - Fiji 5

4.37' USA kicks ball, Fijiana Number 24 receives 

4.22' USA offside, ball given to Fijiana

4.11' Fijiana Qalo runs down the field, gets taken down just a few metres away from the score line

3.56' USA offside, Yellow card, Number 22 Sullivan runs out of the field 

3.40' Another try from Uluinasau
2.47' loose ball, awarded to USA

2.29' Scrum, ball lands on Fiji's side, picked up by Kolora Lomani, scores a try, failed conversion 

1.30' USA 22 - Fiji 15

0.55' Fiji kicks, USA Autumn Czapliki receives, runs down field, scores 

0.00' USA kicks, Fiji plays ball

Extra time - 53rd second, Number 19 Kaylen Thomas scores a try

Conversion off the post

Full time score: USA 34 - Fiji 15